Tidying up messy crime scenes for the Norwegian Police is a speciality of the No Shit Cleaning Service. Two employees, squeamish Elvis (Erlend Nervold) and his more experienced, deadpan friend Leo (Jon Sigve Skard) are despatched to the aftermath of a particularly grisly killing at an isolated cabin in the woods. As they puzzle over the blood-splattered floor, strange pictures on the walls and a creepy cassette recording trying to discern what the heck happened here, Elvis’ curiosity gets the better of him. He ventures down a trap door leading to a secret basement where he is startled to discover a naked young woman (Silje Reinåmo) hiding in a bathtub filled with a strange milky fluid. Slowly, bit by bit, Elvis and Leo come to realise exactly who... or what the mute mystery girl is, unaware there is something else lurking in the woods, watching them.
Following the success of Trollhunter (2010) here is another Norwegian film that puts a horrific spin on its native folklore. It is unsettling right from the opening shot of the whirling cog of an audio cassette as an old man’s lament segues into blood-curdling screams. Thale weaves a wholly unique mood midway between fairytale lyricism, documentary realism and almost subliminal nightmare stirring equal amounts of pathos, black comedy and suspense into a lively mix. Largely, though not exclusively, confined to a single grimy basement, the film is more or less a chamber piece laden with claustrophobic tension and no small amount of dry wit, believably acted by a minimal, superlative cast. Its scares derive from half-glimpsed entities lurking in the background and long unnerving stillnesses only occasionally punctured by sharp shocks, though not in the hackneyed manner that characterises much contemporary mainstream horror.
Each character carries their own secret sorrow that colours their actions throughout the third act which shines some clarity on the plot as the action grows increasingly visceral, confronting Elvis and Leo with a whole new set of problems. Admittedly the film makes no concession towards viewers unfamiliar with Scandinavian folklore. Some of the particulars of the plot that are so easily grasped by Elvis and Leo might prove a little confusing for casual viewers, although unlikely to hamper their enjoyment of the solid suspense sequences, dark fairytale poetry and ingratiating character details. The film is ingeniously crafted on a shoestring budget by first-time helmer Aleksander L. Nordas who served as writer, director, cinematographer and editor. He excels in all his duties and is clearly a talent to watch. Nordas’ elliptical narrative dares the viewer to piece together themselves exactly what is going on in this story, throwing us crumbs of information in a most tantalising manner. It is one of the most original, inspiring, even magical horror movies in years. Click here for the trailer
